COLONIAL CONFERENCE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13835, 23 February 1907, Page 9

COLONIAL CONFERENCE.

PREFERENTIAL TRADE.

Press Asiocialion—By Telegraph—Copyright,

LONDON, February 21

At t lie United Empire Club dinner Sir H. Tozer (Agent-general for Queensland) regretted that the Government had decided to close tlio door against the discussion at tlio Colonial Conference of one of the most important questions affecting the mutual interests of Great Britain and her colonies. The colonics were anxious to share the responsibilities of Empire, and it was absurd to 'suppose that the giving of some preference to the colonies woiild necessitate the imposition of undue burdens on the British working classes.

AN IMPERIAL COUNCIL. MELBOURNE, February 22.

Mv Deakin, • explaining his intentions regarding the Colonial Conference, indicated that he would support the Conference being made an Imperial Council, consisting of the Prime Ministers of the colonies, who should meet periodically, and otherwise hold consultations by an organised system s of correspondence, with a permanent secretary to gather and collate information. He also indicated that ho advocated preference between tlia Motherland and the colonies, and that Great Britain should give as well as receive' under preference.